Media

SOUTH SUMATRA – The wage disparity between male and female workers in South Sumatra (Sumsel) is once again under scrutiny.

According to the latest data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) South Sumatra, the average monthly wage for female workers stands at just Rp2.39 million—significantly lower than the Rp3.12 million earned by their male counterparts.

This Rp730,000 gap reflects a deeply rooted structural inequality within the labor market.

Sumarjono Seragih, Chairman of the South Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Employers’ Association (Apindo), emphasized that this issue is not merely a local concern but part of a longstanding global problem.

“Women across the globe still earn 16–20 percent less than men for jobs with similar responsibilities. Indonesia has been slow in bridging this gap, especially in the employment sector,” Sumarjono said on Wednesday (May 14, 2025).

He pointed to entrenched patriarchal norms, weak wage protection regulations, and unequal access to education and job training as key contributing factors.

In South Sumatra, women make up only 32.64 percent of the total 1.57 million workforce—highlighting a disparity that goes beyond just salary figures.

Labor-intensive sectors such as plantations and agriculture, which account for 19.68 percent of employment in the province, are among the most challenging when it comes to gender equality.

Despite women's significant roles in these industries, their rights and welfare often lag behind.

“Apindo, together with the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) South Sumatra, acknowledges the existing gaps that must be addressed. We are therefore pushing for the establishment of Gender Committees in various companies—from plantations to head offices,” Sumarjono added.

These committees are fully run by women and serve as safe spaces for raising concerns, voicing aspirations, and structurally advocating for the protection of female workers' rights.

Source: sumsel.akurat.co